Washing machine



March 29, 1938. 1. TURNER WASHING MACHINE 3 SheetsSheet 1 Filed 001;. 6. 1936 March'29, 1938. l" TURNER 2,112,584-

WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 6, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 29, 1938. TURNER 2,112,584

WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 6. 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 6, 1936, Serial No. 104,269 In Great Britain October 14, 1935 10 Claims.

This invention relates to domestic washing machines of the type in which the water contained in a tank or the like, in which the clothes 7 are being washed, is agitated either by hand or mechanically. In the usual arrangements, the machine comprises a tank or container, with or without various rubbing abutments or corrugations on the sides, a central vertical spindle being adapted to carry an agitator of suitable form which is immersed in the water and amongst the clothes.

These known arrangements possess certain drawbacks, particularly as regards the diiliculty of providing proper bearings for the spindle,

l5 straining of the clothes by lubricant, rust or socalled verdigris, and the interference of the underneath operating mechanism with devices for heating by gas or the like.

It is one object of the present invention to avoid those disadvantages and at the same time to provide a simple, eflicient and reliable washing machine intended for domestic use. Another object is to provide a turntable device between the tank and its support which device whilst allowing the tank to be freely oscillated does not interfere with the heating of the tank from underneath.

I employ a tank or container arranged for oscillation on a vertical axis and provided with 30 agitator paddles or the like moving with the tank, the tank being mounted on an annular bearing track or turn-table with an open center,

and a gas burner or other means for heating the water being placed beneath the bottom of 35 the tank and in the open center of the bearing track or turn-table.

Preferably the washing machine is provided with means for power operation, a wringer or the like accommodated upon the washing ma- 40 chine being also driven by power from the same source when desired.

The invention is hereafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

. Fig. 1 is a part sectional elevation of the machine in the preferred embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a part side elevation showing the top cover in use as a rinsing bath.

Figs. 3 and 4 are details of a stand seen in 50 Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 shows the stand folded flat and hanging against the rear panel of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a detail in section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1, showing the mounting for the driving 55 motor.

Fig. 7 is a section of the flexible coupling on the motor shaft.

Fig. 8 is an elevation of the reduction gearbox in vertical section on the axes of the shafts.

" Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section and Fig. 10 a 5 transverse section of the reversing gearbox for driving the wringer.

Fig. 11 is a plan of a modified buffer device for the driving of the oscillating tank.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section on the line |2-|2 10 of Fig. 11, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view of a detail of construction showing the form of certain slots.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the washing machine is constructed in the form of a cabinet. 16 made of pressed steel or the like, preferably finished in vitreous enamel, the cabinet being of rectangular shape, with four flat sides or panels In, four legs fitted with moulded rubber feet l2, and a top l3; the sides, legs and top are se- 20 cured together by concealed bolts l4, and the legs are reinforced by angular metal straps I5 for supporting the heavy parts in the interior of the cabinet.

Carried approximately half-way down the cabinet, and secured to the upper ends of the straps I5, is apressed steel base-plate l6 forming a central bracing for the body of the cabinet and having a large circular opening of which the periphery is shaped to form a cup or ball-race I1, fitted with caged balls l8. Upon this ball bearing there is rotatably mounted an annular pressed steel plate ,I9 forming a complementary ball race or cone 20, so that the two plates l6, lfcbnstitute a turn-table. The inner periphery of the rotatable plate I9 is fitted with a number of safety catches 2| adapted to engage under the stationary ball race I! to prevent the two plates from separating during normal operation. The upper flat portion 22 of the plate l9 has blocks 23 spaced at intervals round its circumference and secured by bolts 24, the rim of the plate being flanged upwards at 25 outside these blocks, upon which there rests an open-topped cylindrical tank 26, constructed of sheet metal; the peripheral flange 25 of the plate 19 forms a guide to facilitate the centering of the tank thereon and to hold it in position during operation, but allowing the tank to be lifted completely out for cleaning, or for use as a separate boiler, or for other purposes. Additional guide arms 21 may also be provided as shown, these arms being engaged under the blocks 23 and secured by the same bolts 24.

The open top of the tank 26 has a flanged rim Z5 doubled, back inwards to provide a bead 29 56 upon which a domed lid 38 can rest, a handle 3| being provided for lifting and replacing" the lid. The flanged rim 28 overhangs the top l3 of the cabinet, in which an opening is formed with a beaded or flanged edge 32, leaving a clear passage round the tank and beneath the rim 28. The tank is provided internally with a plurality of vertical paddles or vanes 33, which as shown are integral with the arms of a spider 34 resting on the bottomof the tank. The clothes placed in the tank for washing are therefore held away from the bottom of the tank by thepaddles mounted on or near the bottom, and the clothes may be boiled while the agitation is taking place. The spider 34 has its arms forked at their extremities to engage with radial driving lugs 35 of triangular shape, having integral flanges riveted or soldered to the walls of the tank. The spider 34 can thus be readily lifted out of place, leaving a plain tank which can be used as an ordinary boiler when so desired, the spider being subsequently refitted by engaging its arms with the driving lugs 35.

If desired, the detachable lid 38 may be provided with paddles or stirrers as indicated at 36, consisting for example of non-rusting metal tubes closed at their lower ends; the lid 38 is arranged to fit sufliciently tightly in the bead 29 to prevent slip during the oscillation.

Beneath the tank and projecting into the central opening of the annular plate I8, there is mounted a gas burner 38, fed by a connection at 38 this burner being supported by a cross-bar 39 having its ends turned up and cranked outwards for attachment to the base-plate l6 as indicated in dotted lines at 48. A shallow tray 4| is provided beneath the burner in order to collect condensation water, the edges of. this tray having a tight fit upon the turned-up ends of the cross bar 39. The outer end of the burner tube 42 is also supported by a stay 43 secured to the periphery 44 of the base-plate I6, and is provided with the usual adjusting sleeve 45 for regulating the air supply to the burner; an oval opening 48 in the side panel I8 through which the gas-connection 38 extends, allows this sleeve to be adjusted, a similar opening or openings 41 being provided in one or more of the other panels I8 to allow of lighting and viewing the gas flame. The combustion gases pass between the blocks 23 and upwards around the tank 26, emerging through the opening in the top I3 of the cabinet beneath the rim 28 of the tank.

The power unit comprises an electric motor 48 with vertical shaft 48 flexibly coupled to a gearbox 58, which is mounted upon the base plate I6 over a second circular opening in the latter; one of the rear legs II, with its reinforcing strap I5, forms in eflect a bed-plate for the power unit, the motor 48 being bolted to this leg over the lower end of the strap, while the baseplate I 6 is bolted to all the four legs at the upper ends of the respective straps I5. As seen in Fig. 6, the motor 48 has a flat face 5I secured to a bracket 52 shaped to engage the angularrstrap I5, 0. single bolt 53 holding the bracket 52 in place; thusthe motor can easily be removed for inspection or repair, and a motor of any particular type or voltage can be fitted to suit the available supply of current. The motor shaft 49 has its upper end formed with two opposite flat faces 54 whereby it has a readily detachable driving engagement with a moulded rubber coupling 55 which is similarly engaged with the primary shaft 56 of the gearbox 58; the center of the rubber coupling 55 is of substantially spherical form, with two cylindrical extensions 51 having metal ferrules thereon, these extensions being of oblong section internally so as to engage with the ends of the respective shafts 48 and 56, as seen in Fig. '7. The low-speed driven shaft 58 of the gearbox 58 carries at its lower end an external crank 58 driving a connecting rod .68 which transmits oscillatory motion to. the rotatable plate I8 supporting the tank; bufier springs are preferably arranged to cushion the shocks at the reversal of motion, this being done for example, as shown in Fig. 1, by providing a bridge 6| between two points on the inner periphery of the plate I9, and mounting a vertical pin 82 thereon, the connecting rod 68 being attached to this pin 62 by a stirrup 83, with springs 64 inserted between the stirrup and the nuts 65 on the connecting rod. The shaft 58 is controlled axially by a rod 66 extending up through a guide 6'! in the top I3 of the cabinet and provided with a knob 68 by means of which the shaft can be lifted so as to disengage the drive, as hereafter explained, the shaft being then retained in this disengaged position by turning the knob 68 so that a cross-pin 68 rests on the upper edge of the guide'GI; in order to re-engage the drive, the knob 68 is turned to drop the pin 69 into its notch I8 in guide 61.

A second low-speed driven shaft II extends up from the gearbox 58, in axial alignment with the motor shaft 48, in order to drive an accessory such as a wringer I2, which is mounted above the top l3 of the cabinet; power is conveyed to the wringer through a gearbox I3 providingfor reversal and interruption of the drive. and also allowing the wringer to be swung about a vertical axis in line with the shaft II, the wringer being supported from the gearbox I3 as hereafter described.

In the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the wringer I2 is adapted to operate on clothes lifted out of the tank 26, such clothes passing through the rollers I4 and being received at the back of the machine; as shown in Fig. 2, a rinsing bath I5 is provided into which the clothes are run, this bath being supported on a collapsible stand. The latter comprises two legs or uprights I6 each having a' bearer II hinged thereto upon a bar I8 which forms a spacer between the uprights and a wooden block 88 attached thereto above the bar I8; a second spacer bar I9 is fitted between the lower ends of the uprights, the bath I5 being mounted on the bearers 11, between the blocks 88 and the back of the cabinet. When in use, the stand is connected to the cabinet by hooking the free ends of the bearers I.I upon pegs 8| projecting from the rear panel I8, the bearers being provided with shoes 82 (see Figs. 3 and 4) suitably notched at 83 for connectionto the pegs; when the stand is not required, the bearers are detached from the pegs 8| and folded down against the uprights I6, the folded stand being then turned round and mounted flat against the rear panel I8 (as shown in Fig. 5) by hooking on to the pegs 8| and also on to similar pegs 84 at a lower level, for which purpose keyhole slots 85 (as shown in Fig. 13) are formed in the uprights.

The bath I5 may be arranged to form a cover for the cabinet when not in use, the bath being then inverted as indicated at I5 in Fig. 2; the wringer I2 is adapted to fold down flat on the top of the cabinet as indicated at I2 in Fig. 2, so as to fit inside the inverted bath.

The gearbox 50 is illustrated in Fig. 8, from which it can be seen that the primary shaft 58 carries a pinion 86 meshing with a large gear wheel 81 integral with a pinion 88 and rotatable upon a stud 89 mounted in the bottom of the box; the pinion 88 meshes on one side with a large gear wheel 90 having its hub 9| supported in a bearing 92 in the top of the gearbox, this hub providing a bearing for the driven shaft 58, while a second bearing 93 for that shaft is provided in the bottom of the gearbox, below which the shaft carries the crank 59. Driving connection between the gear wheel 90 and the shaft 58 is established by a clutch member 84, secured by a pin 95 to the shaft for engagement with dogs 98 on the hub 8|; the control rod 58 carries a thimble 91, of which the collar 98 engages inside the clutch member 94 and above the end of the shaft 58, so that while the gear wheel 90 is rotating, the knob 68 of the control rod 68 can be operated to lift the shaft 58 and thereby disengage the clutch member 94 from the hub 9| of the wheel, the necessary axial movement of the driven shaft 58 being allowed by clearance between the lower bearing 93 and the crank 59.

The pinion 88 also meshes with another large gear wheel 99 in axial alignment with the driving shaft 56, this gear wheel having its hub I supported in a bearing IOI in the top of the gearbox; the hub I00 is formed with dogs I02 engaging with a clutch member I03 secured upon the second low speed shaft H which drives the wringer 12 through the medium of the reversing gear-box 13. The shaft TI is driven constantly so long as the motor 48 is running, the operation of the wringer being controlled by the gearbox 13, as hereafter described; the speed of this shaft 1I, due to the reduction in the gearbox 50, may be for example 70 revolutions per minute with a motor speed of 1425 revolutions per minute, and the speed of the shaft '58 (when coupled by the clutch member 94) may also be 70 revolutions per minute. The several pinions and gear wheels are preferably immersed in oil contained in the gearbox, the top of the box being fitted in an oil-tight manner and secured by studs I04; a detachable cap I05 is provided on the top, over the stud 89, for refilling the gearbox with oil when necessary.

The reversing gearbox I3 is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, from which it can be seen that the cabinet top I3 is fitted with a spigot member I06 upon which the box 13 is mounted, the member I06 beingsecured by bolts I01 passing through an annular washer plate I08 on the inside of the cabinet. The gear box 13 comprises a base I09 to which the upper part of the box is hinged upon a pivot IIO along one side, the base having along its opposite side a vertical flange III through ,which a locking screw II2 with conical point II3 enters a hole H4 in the corresponding side of the gearbox, so as to hold the latter rigid with the base I09; the latter is provided with a vertical socket II5 surrounding the spigot member I05, the socket being split radially at H0 and provided with a clamping screw II1 operated by a lever or handle H8, whereby the socket can be clamped in relation to the spigot.

The low-speed shaft H for driving the wringer has its upper end formed with two opposite flat faces II9; this end of the shaft passes up through the annular plate I08 and through a hole I20 in the cabinet top I3 into the interior of the spigot member I08, which forms a bearing for a bevel pinion I2I having the bore of its hub I22 shaped to engage the flat faces II8 on the shaft 1 I. The pinion I2I is adapted to mesh with one or the other of two bevel wheels I23, I24, slidably mounted upon a horizontal shaft I25 in the upper part of the gearbox 13; one end of this shaft is reduced at I28 to take a bearing in a boss I21 in one of the ends of the box,-

while the other end of the shaft is formed with two opposite fiat faces I28 and is engaged in a correspondingly shaped hole I29 in a bushing I30 rotatably journaled in the other end of the gearbox. The two bevel wheels I23, I24 are fitted with a single key I3I, slidable along a keyway I32 in the shaft, and they are connected together as regards axial motion by a bridge piece I33 having two parallel semi-circular ribs I34, which engage in two circumferential grooves I35, one. on each wheel; the flat top I38 of the bridge piece I33 is slotted at I31 and is engaged by a gear-shift crank I38 with an eccentric or crank pin I39 entering the slot I31. The vertical spindle I40 of this shift-crank is rotatably mounted in a boss I4I at the top of the gearbox, its projecting end I42 being squared and fitted with a lever or handle I43, retained by a screw I44 and washer I45. The boss I48 of the lever I43 is formed with teeth I41 engaging with a stop-pin I48 to one side of the boss I in order to limit the turning movement of the handle; a latching ball I49, backed by a spring I50, is mounted in a hole I5I in the boss I, the inner face of thelever boss I48 being formed with shallow pits I 52 for engagement by the latching ball I49 in definite positions of the handle I43. In Fig. 9, the two bevel wheels I23, I24 are out of mesh with the pinion I 2| upon the shaft 1|; this neutral position represents the middle position of the lever handle I43; by turning the latter in one direction or the other, one or other of the bevel wheels I23, I24 can be brought into mesh with the pinion I2I, so as to drive the shaft I25 and bush I30 in the forward or in the reverse direction, the movement of the spindle I40 being communicated by the eccentric pin I39 to the bridge piece I33 which shifts the bevel gears I23, I24 accordingly.

At the end supporting the bush I30, the gearbox 13 is provided with a vertical web I53 against which a pair of bracket plates I54 are secured by bolts I55, these brackets being-arranged to carry the wringer 12 with one of its rollers 14 in line with the driven shaft I25; the spindle I56 of this roller is extended into the bush I30, the end of the spindle being formed with two opposite fiat faces I51 for taking the drive. Upon releasing the clamping lever II8, the spigot mounting of the gearbox 13 allows the latter to be revolved about the axis of the vertical shaft 1I, together with the wringer 12, so that the latter can be brought to a position for use between the washing tank 25 and rinsing bath 15, or to a position at right angles thereto for use between the rinsing bath and a table or basket; in each of these positions the reversing gearbox enables the wringer to be driven in either direction or to be stopped at will. The wringer may be provided with a quick-release device by mounting the pressure screw I58 upon a trunnion I59 so that by knocking the screw aside the pressure can be released instantly from the rollers 14in case of emergency.

When the wringer is out of operation, it may be folded down over the top of the cabinet, after releasing the locking screw II2, .which allows the upper part of the gearbox I3, together with the wringer I2, brackets I54, shaft I25 and bevel gears I23, I24, to turn about the pivot IIO into the position indicated at I2 in Fig.2; the pinion I2I will then revolve idly in its bearing so long as power is transmitted by the shaft II from the reducing gearbox 50.

Alternatively, the wringer 12 may be kept in operation with the tank driving mechanism out of action, for example when the clothes are being passed through the wringer after the final rinsing; in such a case the gearbox 50 will have its clutch member 94 disengaged so that the crank 59 remains stationary, but the second low-speed shaft 1I will continue to transmit power to the reversing gearbox I3 for the operation of the wringer.

Similarly the second low-speed shaft 'Il may be continued in motion, when the tank driving mechanism is out of action, in cases where the wringer is replaced by an ironing roller or other device, arranged to be driven by the same vertical shaft II; by releasing the clamping lever II8, it is possible to lift the reversing gearbox I3, together with the brackets I54 and wringer I2, after which the ironing or other device can be mounted upon the spigot member I08, being clamped thereon and driven by the shaft 1| in a similar manner to that already described in .the case of the wringer and its gearbox.

By disconnecting the clutch member 94 and placing the gearbox I3 in the neutral position by means of the handle I43 it is possible to run the motor 48 idly when desired.

Fig. 11 shows the connecting rod driven by the crank 59 below the gearbox 50, with its other end attached by a pin I" to a double bell-crank lever I19 mounted on a pivot I80 on the in e periphery of the plate I9, the oppositely extending arms I8I of the lever being engaged by buffer springs I82 supported by brackets I83 bolted or otherwise secured to the underside of the plate I9, which is rotatably mounted on caged balls I8 running in the cup or ball-race I! as previously described. In the position shown in Fig. 11, with the connecting rod 80 in mid-stroke, the pin I18 lies on the same radial line as the pivot I80 with respect to the plate I9, but towards each end of the oscillatory movement, when the crank 59 is on a dead center, the plate I9 supporting the tank 28 tends to outrun the connecting rod 80, one or other of the springs I82 becoming compressed as the lever I19 rocks upon its pivot I80 to allow for the overrun of the plate I9. vice provides for cushioning the shocks at the reversal of motion of the tank 28, and also allows the tank a greater amplitude of motion than is determined by the crank 59 and connecting rod 60.

What I claim is:

1. A washing machine comprising a tank, a turntable having an open center, said tank being mounted or oscillation on said turntable, and means foioscillating said tank, said oscillating means i eluding a member connected to the movable part 01' said turntable by way of a pivot located within said open center but eccentric to the axis of said turntable.

2.'A washing machine comprising a circular tank, a horizontal turntable including fixed and movable parts with interposed bearing means, said fixed and movable parts being of annular form and ailording an open center for said turntable, said tank being mounted upon said movable-part and adapted for oscillation in relation to said fixed part, a pivot member secured to said movable part, said pivot member having a vertical pivotal axis located within said open center but eccentric thereto, and a driving connection to said pivot member.

3. A washing machine comprising a tank, said tank having a substantially fiat bottom and being provided internally with agitating means, a

ggtu rntable having an open center, said tank being mounted on said turntable for oscillation around a vertical axis, means for heating said tank, said heating means being placed beneath the fiat bottom of said tank and within the opencenter of said turntable, and means for oscillating said tank, said oscillating meansincluding a pivot member secured to a movable part of said turntable, said pivot member having its pivotal axis located within said open center but eccentric thereto, and a driving connection to said pivot member.

4. A washing machine comprising a tank, said tank having a substantially fiat bottom and being provided internally with agitating means, a turn- .table having an open center, said tank being mounted on said turntable for oscillation around a vertical axis, means for heating said tank, said heating means being placed centrally beneath the fiat bottom ofsaid tank, and means for oscillating said tank, said oscillating means including a pivot member secured to a movable part 01 said turntable, said pivot member having its pivotal axis located within said open center at a radial distance from the vertical axis of said turntable and clear of said heating means, and a driving connection to said pivot member.

5. A washing machine comprising a circular tank, a horizontal turntable including fixed and movable parts with interposed bearingmeans, said fixed and movable parts being of annular form and affording an open center for said turntable, said tank being mounted upon said movable part and adapted for oscillation in relation to said fixed part, a gas burner for heating said tank, said gas burner located in said open center, a pivot member secured to said movable part, said pivot member having a vertical pivotal axis located within said open center at a radial distance from the vertical axis of said turntable and clear of said gas burner, and a driving connection to said pivot member.

6. A washing machine comprising a circular tank, a horizontal turntable including fixed and movable parts with interposed bearing means, said fixed and movable parts being of annular form and affording an open center for said turntable, said tank being mounted upon said movable part and adapted for oscillation in relation to said fixed part, a pivot member secured to said movable part, said pivot member having a vertical pivotal axis located within said open center but eccentric thereto, a driving connection to said pivot member, a gas burner for heating said tank, said gas burner located within said open center and inside the arcuatepath of said pivot member secured to said movable part, and a tube supplying said gas burner, said tube extending clear of saiddriving connection below said turntable.

7. A washing machine, comprising a sheetmetal cabinet, a horizontally disposed metal plate forming a central bracing for said cabinet, said metal plate having an opening of circular form, the periphery of said opening forming the fixed part of an annular turntable having an open center, a movable part of annular shape sup ported on said fixed part to constitute said turntable, a tank mounted upon said movable part, a pivot member secured to said movable part, said pivot member having a vertical pivotal axis located within said open center but eccentric thereto, and a driving connection to said pivot member, said driving connection being below said metal plate.

8. A washing machine, comprising a sheetmetal cabinet, a horizontally disposed metal plate forming a central bracing for said cabinet, a driving motor mounted below said plate, a cylindrical tank mounted above said plate, said tank adapted for oscillation on a vertical axis, an annular turntable for said tank, the fixed member of said turntable being formed by an apertured portion' 01 said metal plate, the movable member of said turntable being of approximately the same diameter as said tank but having an open center, a pivot member secured to said movable member, said pivot member having a vertical pivotal axis located within said open center but eccentric thereto and below said plate, and connections from said driving motor to said pivot member.

9. A washing machine, comprising a sheetmetal cabinet, a horizontally disposed metal plate forming a central bracing for said cabinet, a driving motor mounted below said plate, a cylindrical tank mounted above said plate, said tank adapted for oscillation on a vertical axis, an annular turntable for said tank, the fixed member of said turntable being formed by an apertured portion of said metal plate, the movable member of said turntable being of approximately the same diameter as said tank but having an open center, a gas burner for heating said tank, said gas burner being located within said open center, a tube supplying said gas burner, said tube extending below said plate and to the exterior of said cabinet, a pivot member secured to said movable member, said pivot member having a vertical pivotal axis located within said open center and inside the arcuate path of said pivot member and below said plate, and a connecting rod transmitting power from said driving motor to said pivotal member, said connecting rod being below said plate and clear of said gas burner and supplying tube.

10. A washing machine comprising a tank arranged for oscillation on "a vertical axis, agitator paddles in the interior of said tank, an annular turntable supporting said tank, said turntable IVAN TURNER. 

